dCS Elgar Plus Digital to Analog (D/A) Converter

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Super sophisticated D/A capable of completing your reference quality system.

All functions tested and working, except DSD output via the Firewire / IEEE1394 which we were not able to confirm. It's possible we had a bad or incorrect cable, incorrect configuration, or a bad unit.

In excellent cosmetic condition as shown in our photos.

MSRP of $15k when new in 2003.

More from a Stereophile Review written by Michael Fremer:

The Elgar Plus improves on the Elgar's performance and operation by adding DSD decoding via FireWire or SDIF-2 interfaces and by allowing it to slave to a word clock or act as a master clock. It also adds a digital output and an improved and extended menu system.

Because the Plus, like the original Elgar, can decode 24/96 and 24/192 data, you can connect a DVD-V player's 24/96 bitstream (if available—many DVD players downconvert to 24/48) and decode DAD discs.

Like all dCS DACs, the Elgar Plus uses the company's proprietary Ring DACs for digital conversion.

A dCS spokesperson impressed on me the fact that virtually every other company making DACs and CD players uses off-the-shelf, chip-based DACs made by other companies, and that it was only because of dCS's contracts with the UK military that the company could afford the R&D needed to design and build such precision devices in the first place. The Elgar Plus's software-driven DSP is upgradeable via a CD player or, via a rear port, a PC.

The Elgar has both digital-domain balance and volume controls, so you can plug it directly into your power amplifier.

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Specifications:
• Digital/analog converter with remote control
• 5-bit, approximately 3MS/s oversampled, dCS-patented Ring DAC topology
• Integral digital volume and balance controls

Inputs:
Dual AES/EBU XLR, BNC, TosLink, ST optical (optional), word clock (I/O), SDIF-2, DSD, IEEE1394 (I/O).

Analog outputs:
• XLR balanced, RCA single-ended. Sample rates: 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, or 96kHz on single-wire interfaces and SDIF-2/word-clock input, auto-selected.
• Optical inputs not guaranteed at 88.2kHz and 96kHz. 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, or 192kHz on dual AES interface auto-selected. 2.822MS/s for DSD on IEEE1394 interface requires a 44.1kHz word clock.
• 44.1kHz for word-clock output in master mode, not temperature-compensated.

Frequency responses
(set to filter 1):
Fs=32kHz:
10Hz-15kHz, ±0.1dB

Fs=44.1kHz or 48kHz:
10Hz-15kHz, ±0.1dB

Fs=88.2kHz or 96kHz:
10Hz-35kHz, ±0.1dB

Fs=176.4kHz or 192kHz:
10Hz-55kHz, +0.25/-0.35dB

DSD:
10Hz-55kHz, +0.2/-0.35dB

Dimensions:
18.15" W x 2.94" H x 16" D

Weight:
26.4 lbs

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